Sport of the Month London Best London Running Routes- Part 1

London has a plethora of different running routes to choose from with all the different parks dotted around and the winding River Thames. Having been based around Canary Wharf with work and running with a work colleague, we have discovered some amazing routes to Regents Park, Greenwich, on occasions crossing the whole of London. Going after work, we have often ended up at train stations or tubes which has made getting home easy, especially on a cold day. Sometimes we would treat ourselves to a nice cup of hot coffee at the end and talk about which runs were our favourite.

Here is a list of the best 5 London runs (part 1) with a full description of the route and a useful map . Our findings based on scenery, variety, traffic friendly and many discussions with fellow runners. We hope you enjoy trying out these great runs in London.

1- The beautiful Regents Canal
Distance- 20.17km
Moderate 

Route summary-
Canary Wharf- Angel- Camden Town- Regents Park

This run is traffic free and incredibly scenic passing house boats, new apartment developments and the stunning St Pancreas station (on your left)
You will be sharing the path with walkers, and cyclists so watch out going under bridges where it can be a bit narrow.

Just follow the Regents Canal from near Limehouse Station, you will pass numerous parks (Mile End park, Victoria Park, the oldest park in London), the canal then takes a sharp left, run onto Angel (you will need to cross the Upper steet) At this point you will briefly leave the canal, take a left down Liverpool Street, run down Tolpuddle Street, rejoin the canal at Muriel Street.
Carrying on along the canal, at this point you will see the beautiful red brick of St Pancreas station, on your left, further down the towpath you will reach the very heart of Camden, the market and many food stalls, passing a few classic pubs. After a couple kilometres you will hit Regents park, do a mini loop of Regents park and end the run at Regents park tube station.

Route map and details-
To London Zoo 

2- Run under the River Thames
Distance- 15km
Easy/Moderate

Route summary-
Canary Wharf- Mudchute station- Greenwich foot tunnel- Greenwich Park and Back

This is a wonderful route which takes you past numerous DLR stations as you head south. After running around 5km you will arrive at the entrance to the Victorian foot tunnel, run down the stairs and then follow the well light underpass until you arrive at the steps leading to the exit on the other side. Heading through the streets of Greenwich, past Greenwich Naval College (now Greenwich University), run past the National Maritime Museum, enter the park along Park Row. Running anti clockwise which starts uphill you will encounter many wonderful sites including well maintained gardens (full of colourful roses from June), Vanburgh Castle and towards the middle of the route the famous Royal Observatory, where GMT is located and longitude is zero)
You will notice the fantastic views of the river and Canary Wharf where you started- it is even more spectacular at night seeing the bright lights of HSBC and other large banking institutions where around 100,000 people work! Look out for Lover's Walk

Route map and details-
Greenwich Park

3- The Ultimate River Run
Distance- 21.7km
Hard (long distance)

Route summary-
Canary Wharf- Westminster- Battersea Park- Chelsea Harbour - Hurlingham Park- Putney

This classic London run takes you all the way from the business district of Canary Wharf along the river to South West London, past many bridges including the iconic Tower Bridge and Albert suspension bridge opposite Battersea Park. Run along the river onto Blackfriars. At Westminster cross the bridge and carry on running westwards along the path (you will avoid all the crowds and tourists around the London Eye and the London Aquarium), past Vauxhall bridge. At Lambeth bridge, cross over to the north side of the river, along the Chelsea Embankment, turn left down Lots Road. This part of the route is virtually traffic free as back streets leading past Chelsea Harbour, you will pass the modern Imperial Wharf apartment block, continue running past Wandsworth Bridge, cross over the road at the Hurlingham Pub and Kitchen, at the end you will reach Hurlingham Park which you need to run around (you might see bicycle polo being played in summer). Turn left down Napier Avenue and follow the road round to the right, cross over the river at the train bridge by Putney Bridge which takes you to Putney High Street. Well done for getting this far. There are many places to stop for a bite to eat or a drink.

Route map-
From East London to South West London

4- An enticing river loop 
Distance- 15.14
Easy 

Starting at Canary Wharf, run in a westwards direction along the Thames footpath, through King Edward VII Memorial Park, past Wapping Station. You will reach the beautiful St Katherine's Docks where there are numerous luxury yachts and trendy apartments. Around the corner, you will  find Tower 
Bridge, continue running along the north side of the river until you get to Blackfriars, run over the bridge and run eastwards along the river until you get to Tower Bridge, cross over and run back the way you came.

Route map
Running the river, Blackfriars and Tower bridges

5- Wimbledon or bust
Distance- 26.63
Hard (long distance. Height elevation- 1,503m with Putney Hill)

This run starting at Canary Wharf is an excellent challenge. Follow the towpath along on the north side, heading west. At Westminster bridge cross over the south side, keep running westbound past Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, enter Battersea Park, carry on along the river you will arrive at the beautiful but small Wandsworth Park, head down Putney High Street then climb Putney Hill which leads to the A3, go through the underpass, carry running straight on, you will pass the wonderful and rugged Wimbledon Common on your right (along Parkside road), carry on into the characterful Wimbledon Village (many places to stop for a coffee if you want to finish here), otherwise carry on down the hill (Wimbledon Hill Road) to Wimbledon Train Station. This is one of my favourites runs given the stunning river side scenery, the many cool parks and finishing in popular Wimbledon, where there lots of great restaurants, shops and bars.

Route summary-
connect.garmin.com/activity/321110531

If you have any comments or suggestions for other good running routes in London, feel free to contact us at enquiries@totallysporty.com